A BIG-HEARTED campaigner says she hopes to smash the stigma around eating disorders after raising more than £3,000 by trekking to Mount Everest base camp.

Emma Bragg, 27, pulled off the amazing feat in a bid to raise cash for Beat, an eating disorder charity.

Emma, from Halstead, climbed to the Mount Everest base camp - at a height of more than 5,300m.

The fundraiser chose a charity close to her heart after struggling with eating disorders in the past.

Through her efforts, Emma is encouraging others to seek support and help families who are supporting their loved ones.

Emma said: “I never really understood how to express my feelings and knew that food helped.

“It was my first year of university in 2013 when I knew it was getting out of control and that this was an issue.

“But it wasn’t until 2017 that I started to do something about it.

“Covid was a perfect opportunity to change and start learning more about myself.

“I’ve struggled throughout my teenage years and early 20s, so it was a long time coming to finally have that 'flick of the switch' moment.

“It was all about acknowledging certain feelings and putting them into something more positive.

“Eating disorders are incredibly individual to the person affected and are very complex.

“They are a mental health condition that can lead to physical issues, and you don’t need to be a certain size to suffer.

"Not many people know the signs of an eating disorder or how to help. Beat is here to support, give advice and be a friend at the other end of the phone for anybody affected.”

To round off her fundraising, Emma also walked the 5,420m Cho La Pass and Gokyo Lakes route in Nepal.

Beat community fundraising manager Rachael Bramwell added: “We are incredibly grateful to Emma for choosing to support Beat.

“More people are needing eating disorder support across the UK and the funds raised will help ensure we’re able to keep supporting those affected by these serious mental illnesses.

“Climbing to Mount Everest base camp is a huge challenge, and we’re so happy to hear that Emma is now home safe and sound.”

To donate, visit justgiving.com/fundraising/emmabeatseverest.